For Taylor!

Okay Taylor...you convinced me...

I know I said I would be better, but life just seems to get in the way. Choices have to be made about every moment of free time. Not that I don't enjoy "blogging", but it is/can be a time sucker. I do read all your blogs, but don't always leave messages. That doesn't mean that I don't care or think about you...I do...alot. It just means that I am trying to balance it all.

So, let's see. Since my last post (oh, the tatt healed VERY nicely), I have gone through counseling to reconnect with myself, attended my 30 year reunion, went to Valley Ridge for a workshop with Nina (which was great by the way), had the inside of my house entirely painted (including ceilings), have melted in 100 degree plus temps, signed up for two internet classes, and have had company. I wish I could write details about every event, but I'm ready to get into my studio.

I will say that I am very greatful...for so many things. I have reconnected with some really, really good friends from high school. It is almost like having new sisters. Even though 30 years has gone by, we just picked up where we left off. I feel like a void has been filled having things gals back in my life. There are some guy friends too, but there is something so special about the bond between women...women that get one another and accept you for who you are. Those friendships are really hard to find at times.

So, Taylor...I have been in my studio working on a journal and journal pages. I seem to always come back to journaling/journal pages as a first love. I still love to make jewelry, but it is too hot to work with my torch in the garage, so that will be delayed until fall. For now, journaling will be my passion and creative outlet. A class with MaryAnn Moss striked a cord of inspiration...so 12 cans of spraypaint later...I was on a roll. I'm also taking a class with Suzi Blu and it is also just as much fun and inspirational.

Okay, back to the studio.

For Kelly

I have neglected my blog for far too long. I'm going to make a promise to myself to update it at least once a week. But, they may be boring posts as I have not had much time to do anything but work lately...so it seems. I have a lot to share, but am just drained by day end. Our main PC is "sick" so my wireless is down at home making it even harder to access the internet from home. So where am I now updating this Easter morninig? Yep, at work. Trying to catch up from the days off for Artfest and then a funeral in WI. Jeff's Father passed away last Sunday at the age of 86. He lived a great life, but it was still hard for Jeff to say goodbye. It made me think about a lot of things, like the blessings I have in my life, which includes my friends. To you reading, you are a blessing to me and friends that I truely cherish. Life IS too short and blazes by so quickly.

These past six months have brought great change and growth for me. It has been empowering and yet frigtening at times. I have a new understanding of who I am as a woman and human being. In recognition of this change, I finally decided to do IT. I got my first tattoo. I have wanted one for years. Most of you know my favorite word is "hope." I knew that needed to be incorporated in my tattoo, but I wanted it as a Kanji symbol. Then I saw a picture of Jane Wynn's new Cicada tattoo and it all came together for me. The Cicada in Chinese represents the symbol of "rebirth." Once I explained to the artist what I wanted (I had to wait 4 months to get in with this artist) he knew immediately how to incorporate the two and drew it out in about 5 minutes. It was exactly what I had envisioned. Yes, it did hurt, but it was worth every minute. I LOVE it. I actually teared up when I first saw it..not because it hurt, but because it was ME and forever will remind me of this time in my life.

Tagged

I've been tagged by Kelly and Catherine to list 7 random things about myself:
1) I eat dark Dove chocolate every morning on my way to work.
2) I hate to go barefoot. I always have to have a pair of shoes on even when I get out of bed in the mornings. (No, I don't wear them to bed Silly).
3) I mix my cereals and my husband calls it the 50/50 mix. That way I get both of what I like, but still eat one bowl.
4) I hate to cook and my husband says we only have a kitchen for resale value.
5) My family calls my house the BYOF house - Bring Your Own Food... But I'm having Thanksgiving at my house this year...hmmmm...interesting....
6) I walk on a wooded path every day to help "ground" me (plus the pups need their exercise).
7) I need at least a good hour of "nothing" in order to get a good night's sleep.

Everyone I would have tagged, has already been tagged!

Bronze Clay...

Fun stuff. Just some component pieces I recently made. It takes a very long time to fire in the kiln. I really like the color and I think there are other possibilities ahead....

Click on picture for a better view.

Three Day Weekend - Three Days of Fun!

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I love three day weekends. We never go anywhere due to the traffic and all, which is perfectly fine with me as I get three days in my studio! The first day we did a bit of work in the garage and Jeff finally hung my peg board above my soldering station. I absolutely LOVE getting organized. Second on the list was getting my torch all set up again....now we are back in action! I bounced all around in different directions this weekend. First I finished a piece for a very special person. This is SO NOT me, but I had fun making it. The piece is titled, a Glimmer of Hope. The focal has a little shadowbox that safe keeps a little PMC textured circle with a tiny Swarovski crystal, and I mean tiny! It is about the size of a pin head, and thus represents glimmer."

My second piece is a new direction in my metal work. I love working with metal and color. It will be in addition to my standard pieces. I love making these and get totally lost in the process.

Today, I finished this piece. I needed a wind-down day. When Kelly gave me back my pieces from the book, I knew I wanted to change one of them. Actually, the piece was never finished, but it was still used in the book. This piece was special to me because it represented my ancestry. One of my great ancestors was Daniel Boone. My family has always been hunters and thus the bullet shell casings were an appropriate talisman to remind me of my family history. My nephew brought me the shells. He was so proud and excited to see what I had done with them.

All in all, this was a very productive weekend doing the things I love and spending time with those I love....family and friends.

Next weekend...BRONZE PMC!

For Maija

Maija, this is for you. I'm sending her to you in a big old box with a BIG pink bow! She is really a monster....but I do love her....

Productive Weekend

This was a productive weekend. After coming back from CA, I have been really inspired to create once again. For the longest time, my desire had just left...the move, work, life all got in the way. I think we sometimes need a good break to see our work from a different perspective, with a clear and fresh mind. I had so many things I wanted to accomplish this weekend, and it was productive in so many ways. While out in CA, Deryn inspired me to make a piece of jewelry from a rosary that was given to me when I was about 8 or 9 years old. It always hung on my bedside and it always made me feel safe. When I was scared, I would sleep with it under my pillow. Now I can have it close by me again and close to my heart with the memories attached to it. Deryn also challanged me to use larger beads...okay, I only used three, but it's a start! I also started on some new metal work that I hope to finish up next weekend.

For Ruth and Kelly

I just got back from a quick trip to B&N....IT'S ON THE SHELVES AT BARNES AND NOBLES!!! Makes me happy to see it! Congratulations girls!!!